MI5 warns UK academics to sever ties with Chinese research institute
The agency alleges the institute funds university research to support China’s intelligence service and says continued work could risk prosecution.
MI5 has urged UK academics to stop working with the China General Technology Research Institute (CGTRI), alleging the organisation has “very strong ties” to China’s Ministry of State Security and funds research to strengthen its espionage capability.
The agency said CGTRI had targeted more than 100 UK-based academics in fields including artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, covert communications and steganography. MI5 said some researchers and institutions may have engaged with the institute in good faith, unaware of the alleged links.
MI5 warned that academics who continue working with CGTRI or accepting its grants could risk prosecution under the National Security Act, passed in 2023. The agency said the alleged activity poses a threat to UK national security.
Security Minister Dan Jarvis said he had written to university leaders to ensure staff end any relationship with the institute. He said international partnerships remain important to universities, while the government would act against security threats.
Beijing had not responded to the alert at the time of publication. China has denied similar allegations previously. The source material does not establish independently how many academics accepted funding or continued working with CGTRI.
